Our research impact

Woman at a climate protest

Uniting research disciplines, the University of Southampton aims to solve pressing global challenges. Our work ranges from enhancing cancer treatments to revolutionising renewable energy and defeating COVID-19. Uncover our multidisciplinary approach to a better future.

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Research highlights

A satellite image of a galaxy, with a box zooming in on the centre and revealing a supermassive black hole hidden behind a cloud of gas and dust.

Revealing space’s secret supermassive black holes

Space
Scientists from the University of Southampton have found that there are more hidden supermassive black holes in the universe than previously thought.

Research highlights

Zoomed in view of a hand holding a 5D memory crystal between two fingers. The memory crystal is a small clear disc with diagrams of human DNA on the surface.
31 January 2025

Preserving DNA in everlasting memory crystals

Digital
Future societies and communities
Environment, sustainability and clean growth
Scientists at the University of Southampton have successfully stored the full human genome (or complete set of DNA) onto a 5D memory crystal – an achievement which could hold the key to restoring life after extinction.

Research highlights

A digitally rendered cross-section of the RRS Discovery showing the different levels and holds of the ships interior
30 Jan 2025

Creating RRS Discovery’s ‘digital twin’

AI, big data and analytics
Digital
Marine and maritime
A team led by the University of Southampton has developed a highly accurate 3D representation of the entire research vessel RRS Discovery, shedding light on the lives of Antarctic explorers.

Research highlights

A satellite image of two galaxies colliding with each other.
29 Jan 2025

Demystifying the universe’s largest galaxies

Space
The mystery of the creation of the universe’s biggest galaxies has almost been solved, thanks to new significant discoveries from an international team of experts, including members of the University of Southampton.

Research highlights

Two scientists observing blood test results on a screen. The results are colour coded in red and blue to show whether cancer is present or not.
29 Jan 2025

Transforming early cancer diagnosis

AI, big data and analytics
Health and wellbeing
University of Southampton researchers are developing a new diagnostic blood test that uses biomarkers and artificial intelligence to predict multiple cancers at an early stage.

Research highlights

A landscape of rolling hills with long grass in the Lesotho Highlands. There is a mountain range on the horizon, and the sky is mainly cloudy with some clear blue areas.
29 Jan 2025

Linking diamonds with landscape evolution

Environment, sustainability and clean growth
Marine and maritime
Researchers are solving one of the most puzzling questions in plate tectonics, by investigating how the Earth’s surface has responded to the breakup of continental plates through time.

Research highlights

A large cargo vessel sailing on the ocean. It has a 20 metre-high wing sail.
29 Jan 2025

Cutting international shipping carbon emissions

Engineering
Environment, sustainability and clean growth
Marine and maritime
Researchers from Southampton have coordinated sea trials of a 20-metre high wing-sail that could be fitted to large cargo vessels, cutting carbon emissions by a third.

Research highlights

A young child is choosing stickers from a sheet held by an adult. The child is adding the colourful stickers to their top.
28 Jan 2025

Giving autistic children a voice – the power of ‘I am’ Digital Stories

Future societies and communities
Health and wellbeing
Culture and creativity
‘I am’ Digital Stories created by Southampton researchers are ensuring that the voices of autistic children and young people are heard during crucial transitions in their education and lives.

Research highlights

Young woman talking on her mobile phone
14 Jan 2025

Transforming the diagnosis and treatment of depression

Health and wellbeing
Research by Southampton Professor Tony Kendrick is continuing to transform the management of depression and long-term antidepressant use in the UK.

Research highlights

Adult sat with a child at a school desk with a drawing
13 Jan 2025

Closing the attainment gap

Future societies and communities
Teams at the University of Southampton are collaborating with student ambassadors, local businesses, and local schools to close attainment gaps, provide opportunities for disadvantaged pupils, and make education equitable.

Research highlights

Head and shoulders of a robot with large eyes looking at the camera
7 Jan 2025

Can robots and migration help address the challenges of ageing?

AI, big data and analytics
Future societies and communities
Research by Southampton demographers has explored strategies to best address the skills shortages caused by ageing and whether migration and the use of robotics can help alleviate some of the resulting pressures.

Research highlights

Woman giving a child a polio vaccination
2 Jan 2025

Targeting childhood vaccines globally

Future societies and communities
Health and wellbeing
WorldPop, a research group led by Professor Andy Tatem, is revolutionising global health efforts by enabling governments to vaccinate children who were previously unreachable.

Research highlights

Aerial shot of 30 St Mary Axe
18 Dec 2024

The Debt Dilemma: How Rising Debt Levels May Widen Inequality in the UK

Future societies and communities
Debt and inequality are two issues that increasingly dominate discussions across Western Europe.

Research highlights

A woman and an elderly man sat in a park looking at a book together
13 Dec 2024

Measuring unmet need for social care among older persons

Future societies and communities
Health and wellbeing
Research by Southampton’s Centre for Research on Ageing and the ESRC Centre for Population Change – Connecting Generations project can directly inform social policies to reduce and try to eliminate the unmet need for social care among older persons.